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PRKSENTED BY 





SKATING 



and the 



Philadelphia Skating 
Club 



John F. Lewis 



Philadelphia 
189S 



(i\4A 






Auitlbr 
Gl«^ S Wife 



INDEX 

Page 

History of Skating and the Philadelphia Skating 

Club 7 

Charter 53 

By-laws, as follows : 

Article I. — Members, Their Qualifications, Election, 

Dues, Resignation and Expulsion 58 

Article II. — Life Members 59 

Article III. — Expulsion of Members 60 

Article IV. — Honorary Members, Ladies 61 

Article V. — Non-resident Members 61 

Article VI. — Officers, Annual Election, Nominations . 62 

Article VII. — Meetings, Quorum 63 

Article VIII. — Order of Business 64 

Article IX. — President's Duties 64 

Article X. — Vice-President 65 

Article XI. — Secretary, Minutes, Notices ..... 65 

Article XII. — Treasurer 66 

Article XIII. — Executive Committee, Duties, Organi- 
zation, Approve Bills 66 

Article XIV. — Board of Surgeons 67 

Article XV. — Special Committees, 68 

Article XVI.— Badge, Fine 68 

Article XVII.— Cord and Reel, Fine 68 

Article XVIII.— Majority to Elect 68 

Article XIX. — Impeachment of Officers 69 

Article XX. — Amendments 69 

Article XXI. — Management of Club House, House 
Committees' Duties, Lease of House, Power to 

Pay Bills, Amendment of This Article 69 

Lists of all the Officers and Members of Standing 
Committees from the Organization of the 

Club to Date 73 

Present Officers 83 

Members' Names 85 

Permanent Fund Resolution 89 



This " History of Sicating and the Philadel- 
phia Skating Club " was read by Mr. John F. 
Lewis, at the Annual Banquet of the Club, January 
9, 1895, at the Manufacturers' Club House, Wal- 
nut Street, above Broad. The President, Thomas 
W. Marchment, was in the chair, and the Com- 
mittee of Arrangements consisted of Peter Breen, 
Dorrance Evans, Howard W. Lewis, John H. 
Packard, Howard Evans and John P. Walker. 

The paper is published by the Club's direction. 



The origin of skating is veiled in the remot- 
est antiquity. Like many arts which amehorate 
the condition of man, it was doubtless conceived 
and born of necessity. No trace of it can be 
found in the Bible, though the Book of Job, 
which is the oldest in the sacred libraiy, has 
several references to frost and ice. He speaks of 
brooks " which are blackish by reason of the ice," 
and says : " The zvaters are hid as luith a stone, 
and the face of the deep is frosen^ 

But the devil can quote Scripture to his pur- 
pose, and might urge (if he knows anything 
about low temperature at all) that several Biblical 
passages prove that the children of Israel could 
skate. For instance, it is said in Deuteronomy, 
" Their foot shall slide in due time," and he might 
claim that the backward roll was described, in 
language more figurative than accurate, when 
Hosea said : *' Israel slideth back as a backsliding 
heifer." 

Turning to profane history, it is learned that 
skating probably originated in the north of 
Europe, and that the first skater was some hardy 
Norseman, who fastened bones to the soles of his 



lO 

poem called the " Complaint " says : " / know 
hoiv to perform eight exercises : I fig! it tvitJi cour- 
age ; I keep a firm seat on Jiorseback ; I am 
skilled in sivimviing ; I glide alorig the ice on 
skates; I excel in darting the lance; I am dexterous 
at the oar, and yet a Russian maid disdains me!' 

The substitution of an iron for a bone runner 
is so simple and self-evident an invention, that it 
must have been made at an early date. 

Olaus Magnus, the Swedish historian, who 
was born in 1490, describes the skates used by 
the early Scandinavians as being " of polished 
iron, or of the shank bone of a deer or sheep, about 
a foot long, filed dozvn on one side, and greased 
with hog's lard to repel the luet,'" but modern 
criticism shows that imagination is often mixed 
with historical fact. 

No trustworthy record is known that iron 
blades were used in mediaeval times. In 1572, 
however, it is recorded that the Dutch fleet was 
frozen in near Amsterdam, and that the Duke of 
Alva, conceiving it easy prey, sent a body of 
men to capture it, but that the brave and hardy 
Dutchmen sallied forth on skates, and routed 
their aggressors, and little doubt can exist that 
their skates were iron shod. Skating had been 



II 

more in vogue in the Netherlands, than in any- 
country in Europe, and they had, doubtless, be- 
come proficient on the frozen canals, which are 
the chief means of communication in winter 
between their towns and villages. 

After the time of Fitzstephen skating seems 
to have fallen into disuse in England. Possibly 
a succession of mild winters, or the gradual 
draining of the marshes, made a scarcity of ice. 
At any rate, the sport does not seem again to 
have become general, until introduced from 
Holland, after the restoration of the Stuarts. 

Pepys, in his Diary, written about 1659, 
says that he went " over to the Parke, where I first 
ill my life, it being a great frost, did see people 
sliding with their skeats, which is a very pretty 
arty And John Evelyn, under date of Decem- 
ber I, 1662, says : " Having seen the strange and 
wonde-rfid dexterity of the sliders on the new canal 
in St. fames' Park perform before their Majesties by 
divers gentlemen and others with sckeets, after the 
manner of the Hollanders, with what swiftness 
they passe, how suddenly they stop in fidl carrier e 
upon the ice, I went homey 

Few records exist of the development of 
skating in the Eighteenth Century, but the Dutch 



12 



artists, Vanderneer, Beerstraaten, and others, 
have represented it as a common sport of the 
people, and illustrations exist of fairs held on 
the ice of the Thames, in 1716 and in 1740, in 
which the exercise is depicted. 

No precise date can be fixed for the intro- 
duction of skating into America. Philadelphia 
seems to have witnessed it as soon as any place 
in the country, and this is not unlikely from the 
fact that the amusements of the old city were 
largely under Quaker influence, and certainly no 
manly exercise can be conceived, more beneficial 
to the soul and body, than the art aptly described 
as " the poety of motion." It is quite certain 
that skating early became a sport in which 
Philadelphians were noted. Graydon, in his 
" Memoirs," says that " though Philadelphians 
have never 7'educed skating to rides like Londoners ^ 
nor con?iected it with their business like Dutchmen, 
I will yet hazard the opinion that they are the best 
a?id most elegant skaters in the world f' and he 
had seen, " New England skaters, old England 
skaters, and Holland skaters y 

Dunlap, in his History of Art, says that West, 
the painter, was a skilful skater. West once 
formed the acquaintance on Philadelphia ice of 



13 

the then Col. Howe — the General Howe of the 
Colonial War, but the resulting friendship dis- 
solved with the spring thaw and was soon for- 
gotten. One day, the painter having crossed the 
ocean, was skating on the Serpentine and 
amazing Londoners by the grace and rapidity of 
his motions. Some one suddenly exclaimed, 
" West I" " West ! " It was Colonel Howe. " I 
am glad to see you," said he, " and not the less 
so that you come in good time to vindicate my 
praises of American skating." He called to him 
Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Caven- 
dishes, to whom he introduced West as one of 
the Philadelphia prodigies, and requested him to 
show them what was called " the salute." West 
performed the feat so much to their satisfaction 
that they went away, spreading over London the 
praises of the American skater. " Nor was the 
considerate Quaker^' says Dunlap, " insensible to 
the value of such commendation. He continued 
to frequent the Serpentine and to gratify large 
crowds by cutting the Philadelphia salute y 

The Delaware River, whose majestic waters 
washed the gateways of the old town, was the 
place where our forefathers learned to skate ; and 
doubtless, before it became frozen sufficiently to 



14 

bear, the city ponds were also patronized. One 
of these ponds was in the neighborhood of what 
is now Eighth and Arch Streets, and adjoined 
Dr. Church's family burying ground. Everly's 
Pond was on the south side of Arch above 
Seventh, and Evans' (named doubtless by a sort 
of historic prophecy after the skating family of 
that name) was on the north side of Race Street 
and extended to Branch Street. Hudson's Pond 
was at the northwest corner of Fifth and Hig-h 
or Market Streets, and was the favorite haunt of 
Colonel Morris, Thomas Bradford, and Alexan- 
der Fullerton — noted skaters of their day. 

At the corner of Ninth and South Streets 
was the Great Blue Horse Pond, surrounded by 
willows, and chiefly used by the citizens of old 
Southwark, who doubtless there acquired much 
of that " slipperiness " which has often distin- 
guished them in politics, if in nothing else. After 
rainy falls, this pond was often connected in 
winter by a continued line of frozen waterway, 
with an inlet at Little Dock Creek, by way of 
St. Peter's Church, at Third and Pine Streets. 
Skates were called " dumps," and the iron run- 
ner was no longer than the foot. Watson, in his 
Annals of Philadelphia, records that the Dela- 



15 

ware was often filled with skaters, and some 
were conspicuous for dexterity and power. Both 
William McKay, in his " Lang Syne Reminis- 
cences," and Watson, mention William Thorpe, 
Doctor Foulke, Governor Mifflin, Charles Wilson 
Peale, George Heyl, and a negro named Joe 
Claypoole who wore " low-gutter skates " and 
was particularly swift in his movements. George 
Heyl, Watson says, was especially graceful and 
clever at figure skating, and dressed, as Vv^as then 
the fashion, in a red coat and buckskin tights. 
He probably wore shoes and hat also, though 
Watson does not say. His description is not 
dissimilar to that given in " The Skaters' Text 
Book," that the mem.bers of the London Skating 
Club " always zvear trousers, black coats, and tall 
hats, in accordance ivith an ancient custom,'^ and 
it is. to be hoped they always did, especially in 
cold weather. Dr. Foulke, the famous surgeon, 
lived on Front Street and was a noted skater. 
He was adept at the " High Dutch," and in cut- 
ting his name. Peale, seems to have introduced 
the idea of carrying the runner above the foot 
and then back, in the style familiar to the old- 
time skater of the present day. 

Graydon names General Cadwalader and 



i6 



Charles Massey as the best skaters of their 
time. Massey was a biscuit maker, and must 
have been at home with " the roll." 

Skating continued to grow in popularity as 
the city increased. The Delaware, and subse- 
quently the Schuylkill, afforded exceptional 
opportunities for its enjoyment. The ice upon 
the Delaware was less broken up by boats than 
as it is now, and would often become two feet, and 
even more, in thickness, and be used 'as a highway 
for travel to and from Camden. The skaters and 
walkers on the ice formed a considerable multi- 
tude. In every direction booths were erected for 
the sale of refreshments, and not infrequently an 
ox-roast would add novelty to the scene. Sand 
was first sprinkled over the ice to sustain the fire, 
and the ox roasted from mighty spits, while the 
savory odor and bracing air were whetting the 
appetites of the hungry spectators. Horses were 
specially shod for racing sleighs, and the course 
on the ice sometimes extended to Burlington and 
beyond. 

The only ice boat, the old " States Rights ", 
was utterly unable to keep the river free, and 
beyond Arch and Race Streets seldom suc- 
ceeded in going. 



17 

If good skating was not found upon the 
Delaware the enthusiast sought the Schuylkill — 
a very long distance to travel for sport, without 
the aid of any public conveyance. From Broad 
Street to the Fair-Mount Water Works was a 
vast expanse of open farm land, but when the 
omnibus lines began running to Fair-Mount, 
more skaters were attracted to the Schuylkill ; 
and the later extension of the horse car system 
increased its accessibility. The 'buses and cars 
would hang out signs, " Good skating on the 
Schuylkill," and hundreds, yes, thousands, would 
go out. The most skilful skaters of this time 
were Parrish, Zolekoffer, Evans, Paul, Snyder, 
Peale, and Page. The latter was especially grace- 
ful, and invariably attracted admiring crowds. 
The younger skaters soon took up his figures 
and added intricate changes, though never able 
to equal the handsome Colonel for the grace and 
dignity with which he moved over the ice, and 
" skated from the centre " in those magnificent 
open strokes which are rapidly becoming sadly 
rare. 

Possibly a sustained cold snap in the early 
winter of 1849, or a sudden burst of skating 
enthusiasm, led to a meeting, December 21st of 



that year, to form a Skaters' Club. Who was the 
master mind it is not now possible to say with 
certainty, but we know the historic date, and that 
the meeting was held at Stigman's Hotel, on 
George Street (now Sansom), above Sixth Street. 

Colonel James Page was called to the Chair, 
and William H. Jones was appointed Secretary. 
After a warm discussion of the object of the 
meeting — warm indoors only it is to be hoped — 
those present constituted themselves into a com- 
mittee to invite skaters to attend an adjourned 
meeting, to be held a week later, for the purpose 
of forming a club, to be known as " The Skaters' 
Club of the City and County of Philadelphia," 
the county and city not being then coterminous, 
but the former embracing besides the old town 
proper the districts of Richmond, Southwark, 
Moyamensing, Spring Garden, Northern Liber- 
ties, etc. The objects of the proposed club were 
to improve its members in the art of skating and 
afford them pleasure and safety in mutual com- 
panionship. 

The eventful December 28, 1849, duly arrived 
in the course of the calendar, and this fact is cer- 
tain, however doubtful history may be ordinarily. 
The old hotel bar was well patronized, and the 



19 

members had ice in tumblers, even if unprovided 
with any to skate on. A committee of five was 
appointed to draft a constitution for the baby- 
club — Edward S. Lawrence, Albert R. Schofield, 
William F. Van Hook, Josiah Ev^ans and the 
Chairman. E. W. Bushnell was appointed Treas- 
urer. Many of these names are familiar sounds, 
but their possessors have long since passed the 
Great Divide, and their good deeds entitle them 
to an enjoyment forever of a climate not incom- 
patible with the occasional formation of ice. 

Upon January 2, 1850, another meeting was 
held at Stigman's Hotel, and doubtless another 
demand made for broken ice to satisfy an appe- 
tite for smooth. Josiah Evans was elected Chair- 
man, and WilHam H. Jones, Secretary, and the 
new venture was so far definitely organized as to 
require the appointment of a committee of three 
— Evans, R. S. R. Andrews and Bushnell — to 
select a pattern for reels, with lines sixty feet long. 
On January 4th a third meeting was held, and 
old Stigman's again honored. The Committee 
on Constitution reported nine articles, which were 
unanimously adopted. 

Article i was as follows : 

" The name of the Association shall be ' The 



20 



Skaters' Club of the City and County of Philadel- 
phia/ as unanimously approved by the gentle- 
men agreeing to form the same, on the evening 
ing of January 4, 1850, at Stigman's Hotel, 
George Street, above Sixth. Its officers shall 
consist of a President, Vice-President, Secre- 
tary, Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of 
five." 

Article 2 is also quoted : 

" The object of the Association shall be 
instruction and improvement in the art of skating, 
the cultivation of a friendly feeling in all who 
participate in the amusement, and the efficient use 
of proper apparatus for the rescue of persons 
breaking through the ice." 

Article 3 prescribed the duties of the Presi- 
dent ; Article 4 of the Secretary ; Article 5 of 
the Treasurer, and Article 6 of the Executive 
Committee. 

Article 7 provided for the election and expul- 
sion of members, and required each member, upon 
signing the Constitution, to pay twenty-five cents 
to the Treasurer, to constitute a fund for defraying 
ordinary expenses — the size of the tax guaran- 
teeing a sure economy. 

Article 8 provided that the meetings should 



be held at the pleasure of the President, at the 
request of the Executive Committee, or when 
determined by the vote of the Association. 

Article 9 provided for elections, and Article 
10 for amendments, and the whole was a model 
of brevity and simplicity, and stamps the founders 
of the club as men of pre-eminent good sense. 

At this same meeting, the Committee on Reels 
reported the selection of a sample, which could 
be duplicated at Bushnell's, No. 64 Dock Street, 
at cost, 18^ cents. Stigman's could probably 
have furnished reels for less, if taken in the shape 
of " apple-jack." This old hotel, thus honored 
by the formation of the club, became known, 
when years rolled by, as the " Weatherall " house, 
— not the " Wetherill," as might be imagined 
from the association of the latter name with the 
Club's history, but the " Weatherall," as if blow 
high or low, the Club formed within its hospitable 
walls, should continue for decades through sum- 
mer rains and winter snows. 

Upon January 8, 1850, a meeting of the 
new Association was held to elect officers, and 
the poll resulted as follows : 

James Page, President ; Josiah Evans, Vice- 
President ; James SuUender, Treasurer ; William 



H, Jones, Secretary; Edward D. Yates, Corres- 
ponding Secretary, Executive Committee — 
George W. Paul, Oliver C. Gaul, George L. 
Sartell, R. S. R. Andrews, and William F. 
Van Hook. 

The committee of the whole constituting the 
first meeting at Stigman's, December 21, 1849, 
reported the following for election, and as these 
names constitute the historic ancestors of the 
present membership, they are here written down 
at the risk of prolixity. 

Col. James Page, John W, Van Hook, Josiah 
Evans, Sr., James Sullender, George W, Paul, 
Edward S. Lawrence ,WilHam F,VanHook, James 
W. Campbell, R. S. R. Andrews, Edward D. 
Yates, Francis F. Shipper, E. V. McCoy, B. 
Eakins, Vv/'illiam S. Andrews, Albert R. Scho- 
field, Joseph H. Foster, Oliver C. Gaul, Conrad 
B. Andress, James T. W. Neff, J, D. Sergeant, 
E, W, Bushnell, Joseph T, Johns, John B. Weir, 
Robert Colton Davis, Thomas W. Mattson, Val- 
entine Dedeker, G. Le, Hurray, Samuel Collar, 
B. W. Andress, John C. Hoffman, James W. 
Roberts, P. H. Ellis, James A. Freeman, W. D. 
Edwinson, John F. Kohler, Alexander E. 
Harvey, A. P. Hughes, Theodore Taylor, 



23 

Charles G. Evans, James Lesley, Jr., George W. 
Summers, Franklin Peale, B. F. Wood, J. Walker, 
Jr., William D. McKibbin, J. D. Ball, E. H. Mur- 
phy, Theo. H. Hesser, Thomas W. Marchment, 
Joseph Evans, George D. Wetherill, John T. 
Roberts, J. B. Neal, C. H. Millikin, Samuel C. 
Downing, Jerry King, William Daniel Deal, 
Wash. L. Germ on, George L. Sartell, James 
McCormick, John Hargraves, Benjamin F. 
Dewees, George S. Bethel, John Wandell, Jr., 
John Hughes, C. W. Pickering, A. C. Stockton, 
W. D. Johns, J. G. Seibert, T. W. Hartley, E. 
H. Heilman, E. D. Matthews, John I. Hunt- 
zinger, H. W. Gorman, Barnett Smith, L. Stack- 
house, Samuel T. Warner, W. B. Sm.ith, Isaiah 
Bunyan, J, C. Sterling, William Fulton, Wilson 
M. Jenkins, William D. Ford, Thompson West- 
cott, A. G. Heston, William H. Adams, M. W. 
Alexander, James G. Stacey, Charles C. Phillips, 
John T. Andrews, T. H. Marston, F. A. Drovin, 
Francis Vallee, George P. Evans, Gustavus Berg- 
ner, Wash. L. Hall, Jacob Snyder, Charles A. 
Weidner, Robert P. Morton, W. Henry Kimber, 
L. B. Jackson, Edward S. Morris, P, J. Potter, 
Jacob Andress, and Samuel James. 

The badge adopted was, and still is, a small 



24 

silver skate, an inch and a quarter long, worn on 
the left breast. 

The life-saving apparatus was the same as 
that now provided by the rules. The cord and 
reel, required to be carried by members, formed 
the most simple and effective device. The reel, 
about five inches long, made of hard wood, was 
wound with a cord about fifty or sixty feet in 
length, and ending in a noose for enclosing the 
wrist. 

In case of accident, two or three member^ 
only were directed to go to the rescue, while 
others acted as a reserve guard to keep back the 
crowd. The rescuer first fastened the noose 
securely to his wrist, and threw the reel to the 
person in the water, who, having gotten hold of 
the cord, was then gently pulled out upon the 
firmer ice. 

Safety ladders were designed of light wood, 
about fifteen feet in length, and with eyes or 
rings at the ends, and having about lOO feet of 
attached rope. The ladders were iron shod, for 
ease of propulsion upon the ice, and could be 
shoved out to be grasped, or used to sustain the 
weight of a man pushed out to the rescue, on ice 
of extreme thinness. 



25 

Small boats on runners, and copper or iron 
sheathed, were also provided, danger flags and 
ropes used to mark air holes or weak spots, axes, 
life preservers, blankets, boat hooks and grap- 
pHng irons employed, and the wisdom of their 
design forty years have not been able to improve. 

Col. James Page, the first President of the 
Club, was succeeded as years rolled on, by 
Josiah Evans ; then came Franklin Peale, and 
after him, Thomas W. Marchment, the grand old 
man who now presides over the Club's destiny, 

E. W. Bushnell was one of the first to intro- 
duce in Philadelphia solid steel skates. They 
were sold at about ^30 a pair, a price which, in 
view of the worth of money at that time, would 
be almost ;^50 now, and possibly enabled him, if 
he sold many, to recoup his loss in selling reels 
at cost. 

When the horse car lines began running 
regularly to Fairraount, ladies occasionally went 
out to walk upon the ice, or witness the skating 
from the banks of the river, and about 1854 
Miss Van Dyke, the daughter of James C. Van 
Dyke, U. S. Attorney for Philadelphia one of 
the members of the Club, appeared on skates, 
and rapidly became skilful and expert. Miss 



26 



Wetherill, from Germantown, and Miss Harvey, 
Miss Schomberg, and Miss Lewis, from the city, 
in after years, became good skaters also, and 
other ladies began to learn, and the sport rapidly 
became fashionable. The fear of the deep water 
of the river, and occasional rowdies, made them 
more or less timid, and one of the reasons for the 
formation of the Club was the frequency v/ith 
which skaters were attacked by roughs, and 
their skates stolen. The members soon broke 
up these gangs, and made it safe for any one to 
venture on the ice during day or night. 

The humane feature of the club originated 
with the late William F. Van Hook. In the 
winter of 1853 the Executive Committee reported 
that twenty-eight lives had been saved that sea- 
son, by the use of the cord and reel, and up to the 
year 1859 the total number saved was fixed at 
125. An improved safety ladder was adopted 
by the Club in 1853. It was about "twenty 
feet long," as the old minutes record, " with a 
joint three feet from the end, with hinges, so that 
upon reaching the hole in the ice, it will settle 
in the water and enable the person to escape 
with much more ease, giving a firm support to 
the feet." 



27 

The life-saving record of the club was such, 
that it soon eclipsed the work of the old Phila- 
delphia Humane Society, whose activity had 
been gradually waning. This society was con- 
nected wdth the early history of the city, and 
identified with its management some of the best 
citizens. Its funds were raised by contribution. 
One of its m.ost important duties was to place 
ladders throughout the town in alleyways, to be 
used in rescuing people from burning buildings, 
and by bucket companies, to pass up water to 
extinguish fires. The houses seldom being over 
three stories high, the ladders were not required 
to be long, and were hung on hooks in alleys, 
and, in case of fire or accident, were always handy. 
Many of our older m^embers will doubtless recol- 
lect seeing them on the wide stone stairways 
designed by Stephen Girard, and leading from 
Front Street to Water Street or Delaware Ave- 
nue. When any markedly heroic act was per- 
formed, the association issued its medal or cer- 
tificate to the hero. Two of these certificates 
now hang in the Ladies' Room at the Club 
House. One was issued to Alexander E. Har- 
vey, and the other to Edward Bowers, both 
members of the club, who, with great peril to 



28 



themselves, rescued from drowning some ladies 
who had broken through the ice on the Schuyl- 
kill River. Not long after these rescues, certain 
ladies, in honor of the bravery of the Club's mem- 
bers, presented to the Club the rescue ladder 
and boat hook, which are placed as models in 
the Club House. The presentation was made 
on the 1 2th day of March, 1859, and though a 
heavy body of ice was on the Schuylkill, the 
crowd attending the ceremony was so great, that 
for safety the exercises were held on the* banks 
of the river, between the canal locks and Lipp's 
old brewery, just opposite the Club House. Mr. 
Harvey read the presentation letter, and Col. 
Page, as President of the Club, received the 
articles. Late in the afternoon the ice began to 
soften, and during the night a warm south wind 
set in, and the next day the surface, which had 
been covered with thousands of skaters, was a 
raging torrent of water. 

After the disbandment of the Philadelphia 
Humane Society, the Skaters' Club appointed a 
committee of one, consisting of Franklin Peale, 
the President, to ascertain from some of the old 
managers what had become of the funds, with 
the view, of course, of turning them into our 



29 

treasury. Upon January 25, i860, Peale reported 
that the funds had been presented to the Penn- 
sylvania Hospital — the nearest approach, in the 
recollection of the writer, of any instance in 
which the Club came to securing a contribution 
as an act of charity. 

The Constitution and By-laws of the Club 
were revised and amended January 13, 1859, ^^^ 
copies of the printed pamphlet of that date are 
still in existence. The rules and regulations 
were substantially the same as those we now en- 
joy, and occasionally have difficulty in inter- 
preting. 

In 1 86 1, upon motion of Colonel Page, a 
copy of the revised By-laws of the Club, a 
badge, cord and reel, together with an improved 
pair of skates, were sent to the Emperor of the 
French, but why, and whether he ever got them, 
and what he did with them, history is sadly si- 
lent. Possibly he was as anxious to learn to 
skate as Abraham Oppenheimer, one of the 
members of the Club, who appeared at its meet- 
ings at this time and asked for an explanation of 
that clause of Article II of the By-laws which 
states the object of the Association to be, among 
other things, "instruction and improvement in 



3° 

the art of skating," He said he had asked sev- 
eral members to instruct him, but had not re- 
ceived the desired information. A committee 
was forthwith appointed to afford the necessary 
tuition — Simes, Van Hook and Sterling. So 
successful was their teaching that they reported 
within a year as follows : 

" Owing to the aptness of their scholar, your 
committee find that we had very little to do, 
and we hope the members of the Club will not 
think the committee flatter themselves when they 
report that they have to confess their inability to 
impart to him any further instruction. Accord- 
ing to their judgment he is a 'finished skater;' 
and we understand that he has so much confi- 
dence in his skating qualities that he has thrown 
down the glove — in other words, he has chal- 
lenged the world, and the rest of mankind, or 
womankind, to skate with him. As evidence 
that the committee have attended to the duties 
assigned them, we would state that the challenge 
has not been accepted." 

If the Emperor of the French had challenged 
the Germans to skate instead of to fight, the 
presents sent him might have proved useful. 

The appointment of this Committee on In- 



31 

struction is a good precedent to be followed in 
these degenerate days, when outer-edge skating 
is in danger of becoming a thing of the past. 

Upon February 28, 1861, the Club was in- 
corporated by special act of the Legislature as 
" The Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane 
Society," the incorporators being Franklin Peale, 
James Page, Conrad B. Andress, James Sul- 
lender, Edward W. Bushnell, Washington L. 
Germon, Wm. F. Van Hook, Alexander E. 
Harvey, Edward D. Yates, Wm. H. Taggert, 
John H. Brinton, Charles S. Boker, John K. 
Kane and David W. Sellers. 

The charter is liberal in the extreme, and pro- 
vides as the object of the Association almost the 
exact words of the Constitution of the old Skaters' 
Club. 

During the Club's history various places have 
been honored with its business meetings. After 
Stigman's, or the Weatherall House, had been 
abandoned the meetings were held at the hall ot 
the Diligent Engine Company, Tenth and Fil- 
bert Streets ; then at the Washington House, 
Chestnut Street, above Seventh ; then at the 
hall of the Washington Hose Company, Ninth 
and Filbert Streets; at 1224 Chestnut Street; 



32 

occasionally at the Club House in Fairmount 
Park ; at Simes' office, 1 2 1 Walnut Street ; at 
his house, 1822 Arch Street, and, in later years, 
at the Colonnade Hotel. 

The construction ot the capacious house on 
the banks of the Schuylkill River, near Lemon 
Hill, forms, of course, one of the most important 
epochs in the Club's history. The erection of a 
Club House had been agitated for years. As 
early as January 17, 1855, Thomas S. Van Dyke 
moved the appointment of a committee to memo- 
rialize Councils "for a piece of ground on the 
margin of the Schuylkill River, situated on the 
front of the old Pratt estate." The matter was 
referred to the Executive Committee, but seems to 
have been neglected, and on February 7th, upon 
Yates' motion, a special committee upon the sub- 
ject was appointed, with Colonel Page as Chair- 
man. The memorial was presented to Councils 
March ist, but the site asked for was already 
leased by the city, permission to build was refused, 
and the committee discharged. 

Before the erection of the house, the ladders 
and hfe-saving appliances of the Club had been 
stored at Fricka's Hotel, near Coates Street, and 
were taken on the ice in the morning and every 



33 

night carried back, the members acting as a sort 
of boat-hook-and-ladder brigade. Raising the 
money, the shortness of the skating season, and 
the necessity for procuring consent from Councils 
to build in the Park, seemed insuperable difficul- 
ties. Yates still cherished his plan, and one day, 
in December, 1859, when there happened to be 
good skating on Wissahickon Creek, invited 
Harvey, SuUender, and Bushnell, his fellow- 
members upon the Executive Committee, to meet 
him there on the following morning, at eleven 
o'clock, to have a skate. The gentlemen invited 
duly appeared. At one o'clock they were taken 
into the neighboring inn, where they found dinner 
ready, and after it was over, and that delightful 
hour had arrived in which men are always easy 
to convince, Yates produced his plan. The 
Committee approved it and signed a report, 
which Yates had previously prepared, recom- 
mending the construction of the house. This 
paper was submitted to the Club December 14 
1859, and the original is still in existence. Its 
recommendations were promptly adopted and 
the Executive Committee requested to make 
application to Councils for the necessary permis- 
sion. It was resolved that the house should be 



34 

built by the issuance of stock at ^lo per share to 
members of the Club only, and that the stock- 
holders constitute a Board of Trustees for its 
government. 

At that time the Park was vastly different 
from what it is to-day. From Coates Street, 
nearly to the site of the present Lincoln Monu- 
ment, were places of business of various kinds, 
and a canal was cut in from the river towards the 
Reading Railroad from the old Pacific Boat 
House. The Park itself commenced at the site 
of the monument, and extended along the fore- 
bay towards Turtle Rock, and then along the 
river to about half way to Girard Avenue Bridge, 
and thence eastwardly to the Reading Railroad. 
It constituted the estate of Henry Pratt, and had 
been known as Pratt's Garden, and later as 
Lemon Hill. Adjoining this property, on the 
north, and extending to Girard Avenue, was the 
Sedgley estate. The carriage road running along 
the fore-bay turned up the hill before reaching 
Turtle Rock, and there was no magnificent river 
road such as we now see. When the Sedgley 
estate was bought by the city, in 1857, the old 
Skaters' Club contributed the sum of ;^ioo, and 
that small contribution was used for all it was 



35 

worth as an argument why Councils should give 
the Club the right to build. 

The Executive Committee made a second 
application to Councils, January 5, i860, and the 
Committee on City Property, to which the appli- 
cation was referred, was induced to unanimously 
report upon it favorably to Councils, and that 
then august body passed the necessary ordinance, 
January 28, i860, authorizing the Committee on 
City Property to designate a location for the 
Skaters' Club House. J. C. Sidney, city archi- 
tect, was directed to go to the Park and stake off 
the plot of ground that might be chosen, and the 
persistent Chairman of the Committee selected 
the spot where the house now stands, because it 
was a solid point of land projecting considerably 
out into the fore-bay, and his judgment was 
such that, even to-day, the house is undoubtedly 
the best situated on the river. The old Star 
Boat Club's frame house stood on part of the 
ground, but as Councils had ordered all the frame 
boat houses on the river bank to be removed, 
no interference was met from that fact. 

Notwithstanding its difficulties, securing the 
right to build was the easiest part of the project. 
Raising the money was commenced February 9, 



36 

i86o. A stock subscription list was opened, and 
I need not say there was no over-subscription. 
After weeks of hard work sixty subscriptions out 
of the whole membership had been secured, but 
^600 was insignificant towards the erection of a 
house intended to be 40 feet long by 40 wide, 
and to cost ;^35oo. It had been expected that 
the stock would be readily taken by the members 
of the Club, without appealing to outsiders for 
assistance, because it was intended that the Club, 
having a large stock interest in the house, would 
control it for its own purposes. Some new move 
was evidently necessary or the scheme must be 
abandoned altogether. Subscriptions by non- 
members were authorized, and Yates then 
induced a friend to subscribe ;^500 upon his 
personal promise to take the stock back when_ 
ever so requested. Another friend was induced 
to subscribe ^400, two others ^100 each, and 
Germon, a member of the Club, then subscribed 
;^500, and, as nothing succeeds like success, 
many members began to increase their subscrip- 
tions to ;^50, so that a total was at last secured 
of ^2500. William S. Andrews, a member of 
the Club, was requested to prepare a design for 
the proposed structure, but as the stock had been 



. 37 

largely taken by non-members, who would, of 
course, expect dividends, it became necessary to 
increase the size of the house, making it 60 feet 
long by 40 wide, and providing for a basement 
which could be rented to Boat Clubs when the 
frame houses upon the river bank were taken 
down. J. C. Sidney, city architect, who was 
elected a member of the Club, altered the plans, 
and prepared specifications complete for the 
builder. Bids were received, the contract given 
out October 18, i860, and the building was 
completed in the spring of 1861. Furniture was 
purchased and new life-saving appliances con- 
structed. The house was erected under the 
supervision of the following Building Committee : 
Edward D. Yates, William S. Andrews, James 
Sullender, Alexander E. Harvey, J, C. Sidney, 
WiUiam F. Van Hook, and Washington L. 
Germon. 

On April 6, 1861, out of the many appHcants 
to rent the basement, the University and the 
Undine Barge Clubs were selected. Leases 
were duly executed, but the future was not even 
then plainly to be seen. The contractor pre- 
sented a bill of $800 for extras, a thing which 
contractors sometimes invent so successfully, and 



38 

promptly placed it in suit. Releases were se- 
cured from the material men, and the contractor 
was forced to compromise, Yates paying out of 
his own pocket, June 14, 1861, the sum of 
;^ 1 034. 17, making the total cost of the construc- 
tion of the house ;^4990. Yates was compelled, 
besides, to take the ;^500 of stock which he had 
procured his friend to subscribe, and other stock- 
holders began to make demands upon him to 
take theirs; but, nothing daunted, he took all 
offered, and found himself saddled at last with 
over one-half of the entire issue. 

The tenant clubs, the University as well as 
the Undine, at once made overtures to Yates to 
buy his holding, but, steadfast to his first love, 
he looked forward to the time when the Skating 
Club should have the house as their own, and 
refused all offers to buy. At this time the 
Skating Club, as such, owned no stock what- 
ever, but Yates gave some to the Club, and by his 
control of the stock set aside annually 20 per 
cent, of all rents as a fund for the Club to use in 
buying more, so that the Club yearly became 
the holder of a larger number of shares. The 
Skating Club at this time paid rent for the use of 
the house, as did the two boat clubs, and the 



39 

rentals enabled dividends at as high as lo per 
cent, to be paid on the stock. The University 
Barge Club, after an occupancy of about ten 
years, vacated its part of the boat room, and the 
Undine rented the whole basement. 

The state of affairs was somewhat anomalous, 
and it was natural that differences of feeling be- 
tween the Skating Club and the barge clubs 
should exist, but so long as Yates held his stock 
the various conflicting interests were impartially 
adjusted. He subsequently sold his stock hold- 
ings to the late Samuel Simes, who consented, 
upon such sale, that the stock should not be 
resold without the consent of Yates, and, in fact, 
Simes so provided in his will, drawn some years 
before his death. 

All honor is surely due, therefore, to Yates 
for his magnificent efforts for the erection of the 
house, and for his generosity to the Club during 
his active connection with it. 

The completion of the Club House added 
fresh impetus to the skating furor. The fear ol 
the deep water of the river, and the still remaining 
fear of annoyance from roughs, led to the forma- 
tion, throughout the city, of various parks for 
skating purposes. 



40 

In 1863 four members of the Club fitted up 
the meadows at Thirty-second and Walnut 
Streets as a safe skating place, and the West 
Philadelphia Park became a famous resort, and 
was the first private skating park in the city, of 
which the writer has knowledge. 

In the fall of 1864, about a year later, East- 
wick Park, on the banks of the Schuylkill, at 
Gray's Ferry, was laid out, and rapidly became 
a popular and fashionable resort. These two 
parks were liberally patronized, and Eastwick's, 
especially, was frequented by the best and most 
fashionable people in the city. 

Other parks were subsequently established ; 
the Arctic, at Broad and Mt. Vernon Streets ; the 
Oakdale, Broad Street and the Reading Railroad ; 
the Harrison, on Dauphin Street, Kensington ; 
the Columbia, at Columbia and Ridge Avenues ; 
the North Broad, the Central, the National, and 
the large brick rink was built at Twenty-third 
and Chestnut Streets. 

These were established between 1863 and 
1867, but so rapid was the growth of the city, 
and, possibly, so suddenly did the popular furor 
cease, that by 1870 most of them had been 
abandoned. Between these years, however, it is 



41 

safe to say that the art of skating reached its 
zenith as a popular sport in the city of Philadel- 
phia. Thousands of persons who would not go 
on the river, visited the parks, whose ready 
accessibility and comparative privacy were worth 
the price of admission. Fetes, special perform- 
ances by skilled skaters, who were invited, from 
all parts of the country, to visit the city, carni- 
vals, and other attractions rapidly made the 
park proprietors rich, and, as may be imag- 
ined, the exhibitions by professional skaters sug- 
gested new points and figures to local skaters, 
and developed the art in the Club. Not only 
was skating itself improving during these years, 
but the skate makers were not idle. The high, 
old-fashioned and gigantic turned-up runners, 
fitted to the foot with cramping straps, were suc- 
ceeded by low all-steel skates, held at the heel 
by a small iron plate, and upon the sole by a 
clamp acting with a key. The clamp skate, 
according to the writer's understanding, was first 
introduced into Philadelphia about 1862. The 
plate in the heel was in course of time succeeded 
by additional clamps instead, so that the light 
and graceful all-clamp skate of the present day 
was developed. 



42 

This history would not be complete without re- 
ferring to the years which have elapsed down to the 
present time, but contemporaneous story is always 
difficult to record, if not, indeed, impossible. Men 
cannot see their own times except with their own 
eyes, and true history, which is a record of past 
events, is best observed like a vast building — by 
getting some distance away. And then, too, it is 
not possible to write the record of recent years with- 
out dealing largely with the names of the living, 
and this is always as difficult as it is delicate. It can 
be generally said, however, that the Club's history, 
after the erection of the house, was prosperous. 
Its work was attended to by efficient officers and 
committees, and the years which gradually rolled 
by were not unlike those through which we are 
nov/ passing — productive of more and frequently 
of less skating. Many of us can recollect the 
skating season beginning early in the winter and 
extending well into the spring, but such years 
were the exception and not the rule. The old 
minutes are filled with the usual details of when 
skating on the dam began and when it ended ; 
frequently record acts of heroism, and valuable 
services rendered by the Board of Surgeons ; refer 
to occasional skating upon the Delaware ; the 



43 

appointment of committees to protest against the 
breaking up of the ice upon the dam by steam- 
tugs or its cutting by ice companies ; show the 
election of members from time to time, and, I am 
sorry to add, occasionally their expulsion for non- 
payment of dues. It was customary, every year, 
to authorize the President to vote the Club's stock 
at the stockholders' meeting, and he would sub- 
sequently report having done it, and that So-and- 
so had been elected Trustee to serve for five years. 

The old-time skaters still kept up their interest 
in the Club, but when the fashion of skating began 
to wane, new members were seldom elected, and 
during the passing years the Club was repeatedly 
called upon to mourn the death of its older mem- 
bers. In 1875 Colonel Page's death was reported 
to the Club and an appropriate resolution adopted 
in his memory ; then Evans, Bushnell, Sullender, 
Van Hook joined the great majority, and so from 
year to year. 

The expenses of the Club were met from the 
dues of members and from dividends on such 
stock as it had acquired. The income from dues 
was vastly larger than at present, by reason of the 
greater number of subscribing members and the 
smaller number of Hfe members. Durinsf these 



44 

years Samuel Simes, who had been elected Treas- 
urer after SuUender, seemed to make it his sole 
duty on the ice to collect dues in arrears, or any 
fines which could possibly be imposed for the 
treasury's benefit, and to his care and economy 
very largely was due the ability of the Club to 
meet its expenses. 

Upon the election of Frank Evans, as Secre- 
tary, in December, 1880, an earnest effort was 
commenced to purchase and retire the outstand- 
ing stock, his object being that the Club might 
acquire an absolute ownership in the house. At 
a meeting held December 226., when an effort 
was made to abolish life memberships, he re- 
ported that since the Club's organization 700 
members had been elected, of whom about 25 
per cent, only had become life members, 1 5 per 
cent, were expelled for non-payment of dues, 5 
per cent, had resigned, and the remaining 5 5 per 
cent, had been due-paying, and that, under a 
resolution passed February i o, 1 864, it had been 
provided that the receipts from life members 
should constitute a sinking fund for the redemp- 
tion of stock. Upon his motion a committee was 
thereupon appointed to devise a plan for redeem- 
ing the outstanding shares. At the next meeting 



45 

of the Club, January 26, 1 881, the committee re- 
ported. They said that the annual average re- 
ceipts of the Club had been less than its expenses 
by about ;^50, and that the deficiency had been 
met out of an old accumulation in the treasury. 
The report stated that Samuel Simes was willing 
to sell at par the 261 shares he held (Yates hav- 
ing doubtless consented), and the committee ad- 
vised their purchase. Funds were to be raised 
by requesting annual members to become Hfe 
members and by appealing to the honorary and 
life members for contributions, and by establish- 
ing a sinking fund. The report also recom- 
mended that the committee be continued for the 
redemption of stock and, if necessary, authorized 
to borrow in the Club's name for that purpose. 
The committee consisted of William R. Tucker, 
who had previously been Secretary of the Club 
for some eight years, Brandon L. Keys, George 
F. Janney, Samuel Simes, and Frank Evans as 
the moving spirit. At the succeeding meetings 
shares of stock were from time to time surren- 
dered to make their holders or others life mem- 
bers, and eventually ^^ 1800 were borrowed, which, 
together with the receipts from life membership, 
permitted the redemption of almost all of the out- 



46 

standing shares, so that the Club practically 
owned the house absolutely and was freed from 
the payment of rent. 

More or less friction had from time to time 
existed between the Skating Club and its co- 
tenant in the house, the Undine Barge Club, 
and was constantly appearing in various ways. 
Objection would be made to renovating furniture 
in the Club House because the furniture was 
used by the tenant; to defraying expenses for 
repairing the gas-making machine, because the 
tenant burned the gas ; to even repairing the 
house, because the boating season w^as nine 
months, and the skating season a short three ; and 
in thousands of other little ways, some pleasant, 
others not, this porcupine and snake affection 
was manifested. The members of the Barge 
Club naturally joined the Skating Club, and, 
being younger than those of the latter, attended 
its meetings more frequently, elected their own 
members to office and rapidly acquired the bal- 
ance of power. 

Instead of being received into membership as 
valuable accessories, they were looked upon by 
m.any of the old skaters with more or less suspi- 
cion, and this feeling led to the offering of some 



47 

amendments to the By-laws, in 1881, providing 
that the management of the house should be 
under the charge of three Trustees, who should 
be members of the Skating Club, and not more 
than one of them members of any tenant club. 
A special meeting was directed to be called to 
consider these amendments, and exciting times 
ensued. At a meeting held November 9th, the 
proposed amendments were rejected by a vote of 
56 nays to 5 ayes, and so active were the parti- 
sans of both sides of the controversy that at the 
succeeding meeting 1 5 members were proposed 
and elected to membership, and the fight waxed 
decidedly hotter. Running in new members 
became fashionable, and some of the old skaters 
went so far as to charge that the Barge Club 
members, who were members of the Skating 
Club, had voted in favor of the latter's acquisi- 
tion of stock, and consequent ownership of the 
house, simply in order to control it the better 
themselves. Upon December 14th, the committee, 
which had been previously appointed to examine 
into the transactions of the Trustees and stock- 
holders, reported that the Club owned 497 shares 
of stock, and that two shares only seemed to 
be outstanding. 



48 

At the meeting held January ii, 1882, the 
contest, which seemed to be for the control of 
the Club House, between the Undine Barge 
Club and the Skating Club, in the Skating 
Club's own meetings, assumed definite propor- 
tions. Each side was desirous of controlling the 
vote of the Club's stock, in order to secure the 
election of a Trustee, and so that the control of 
the house might eventually be obtained. The 
President was directed to vote the shares of 
stock belonging to the Club in favor of J. Dickin- 
son Sergeant, in place of Samuel Simes, whose 
term expired. The vote was 47 in favor of the 
resolution and 22 against it. 

Notice of proposed amendments to the By- 
laws was given, so that the control of the house 
should remain forever in the hands of the Skating 
Club. A circular was issued by Evans, and 
approved by Sergeant, in reference to the man- 
agement of the house, and calling upon the mem- 
bers of the Skating Club to attend the meetings 
and protect their property. A preliminary cau- 
cus was held, and a plan of action agreed upon, 
but at the next meeting of the Club, Januaiy 
25th, the weather was passing description. A 
drenchine rain had fallen in the afternoon durino; 



49 

a spell of cold weather, and the streets were a 
sheet of glass, so that when the meeting was 
called to order, the action of the Club directing 
the election of Sergeant instead of Simes, was 
rescinded by a vote of 43 to 36. A resolution 
was adopted directing that the stock be voted in 
favor of Simes, and it is but just to him to say- 
that he was a faithful and impartial Trustee. It 
is gratifying to be able to record that the happy 
result of this contest was, that the Barge Club 
applied to the Park Commission for permission 
to build, obtained it, and subsequently withdrew 
their tenancy and erected upon the banks of the 
Schuylkill, to the east of the Skating Club 
House, the finest boat house in Philadelphia, and 
one of the finest in the country. 

During this heated term of contention a com- 
mittee, consisting of Sussex D. Davis, Frank 
Evans, William R. Tucker, Ewing Stille, and J. 
Dickinson Sergeant, was appointed to revise the 
By-laws of the Club. Its report came up for con- 
sideration November 22, 1882, and the revised 
By-laws, substantially as now in force, were 
adopted, and all question as to the m.anagement 
of the house thus set at rest. Since the retire- 
ment of the outstanding stock, the house is 



50 

under the charge of a House Committee, who 
have succeeded the old Board of Trustees. 

On December 13, 1882, a committee, con- 
sisting of Clarence A. Hart, Edward S. Miles, 
and the writer, was appointed to raise money to 
pay the Club's indebtedness, now being a balance 
of ^900 on the old loan of $ 1 800. After an earnest 
effort certificates of indebtedness were taken by 
the members in sufficient quantity to pay the 
balance due, and place the debt in friendly 
hands, and these certificates have been received 
since for life memberships, and for various other 
purposes, so that, under the management of the 
present Treasurer, the indebtedness of the Club 
has been entirely extinguished. 

After the vacation of the house by the Barge 
Club no tenant club could be obtained for 
a period of about eighteen months. In 1883 
the house was rented under an advantageous 
lease to the lona Boat Club, who have since con- 
tinued therein as tenants, the lease providing, so 
as to avoid all friction between the two clubs, for 
the exclusive use by the Skating Club of the 
house in the winter, except the boat-room floor, 
the concurrent use by it of the ladies' room 
all the year round, and by the tenant club, of 



51 

the entire house during the summer months 
only. 

It may be of interest also to add that the By- 
laws relating to the management of the Club 
House were again amended, December 9, 1891, 
so that no member of any club renting the house 
can be elected to membership, and if any mem- 
ber joins such tenant club, he ceases to be a 
member ot the former, so that the control of the 
house is now placed for all time to come in the 
hands of its owners absolutely. 

This, in short, is the simple stoiy of the Phila- 
delphia Skating Club and Humane Society. Were 
the facts known pages could be filled with the 
record of noble and disinterested deeds, of the 
chilled warmed, of the weak protected, of the sick 
attended, of the wounded treated, of the drowned 
resuscitated, and of many lives saved, often at the 
risk of death to the brave wearer of the little 
silver skate. Doubtless from eight to nine hun- 
dred people have been actually saved by the 
members from drowning, but no list of these 
rescues has been kept nor can well be made. 
They remain alone in the recollection of those 
who performed them, or who saw them, but the 
Recording Angel has them all. The modesty of 



52 

the Club has been as beautiful as its good deeds 
unknown, and not a single instance is recalled of 
any of those saved from a watery grave contrib- 
uting a cent to its treasury, or even returning to 
thank it. 

Though the excellent organization of the Park 
Guard has, in recent years, much curtailed and 
supplanted our humane work, let us hope and 
pray that our old Club may ever continue to 
encourage the manly art of skating and its mem- 
bers modestly and bravely to emulate the record 
of the past. 



Charter 

AND 

By-Laws 



" Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society." 



1895 



An Act to Incorporate the 
PHILADELPHIA SKATING CLUB 

AND 

HUMANE SOCIETY. 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and 
House of Representatives of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and 
it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, 
that Franklin Peale, James Page, Conrad B. 
Andress, James Sullender, Edward W. Bushnell, 
Washington L. Germon, William F. Van Hook, 
Alexander E. Harvey, Edward D. Yates, Wil- 
liam H. Taggert, M. D., John H. Brinton, M. D., 
C. S. Boker, M. D., John K. Kane, M. D., David 
W. Sellers, and all and every person who shall 
at the time of the passing of this Act be members 
of the Association called the " Philadelphia 
Skating Club and Humane Society," shall be 
and they are hereby created and declared to be 
one body politic and corporate, by the name, 
style and title of the " Philadelphia Skating Club 
and Humane Society," and by the same name 
shall have perpetual succession, and shall be 
able to sue and be sued, implead and be 
impleaded, in all courts of record and elsewhere ; 



56 

and to purchase, receive, have, hold and enjoy to 
them and their successors, lands, tenements, 
rents," annuities, franchises and hereditaments, 
goods and chattels of what nature, kind or 
quality soever, real, personal, or mixed, or 
choses in action, and the same from time to time 
to sell, grant, devise, alien or dispose of, and 
also to make and have a common seal, and the 
same to break, alter, renew at pleasure, and also 
to ordain, establish and put in execution such 
by-laws, ordinances and regulations, as shall 
appear necessary and convenient for the govern- 
ment of the said corporation, not being contrary 
to this charter or the Constitution and laws of 
the United States, or of this Commonwealth, and 
generally to do all and singular the matters and 
things which to them it shall lawfully appertain 
to do, for the well being of the said corporation, 
and the due management and ordering of the 
affairs thereof. Provided, That the clear yearly 
value or income of the real and personal estate 
of the said corporation shall not exceed the sum 
of two thousand dollars. 

Section 2. The object of the Association 
shall be instruction and improvement in the art 
of SKATING, the cultivation of a friendly feeHng 



57 
in all who participate in the amusement, and the 

EFFICIENT USE OF PROPER APPARATUS FOR THE 
RESCUE OF PERSONS BREAKING THROUGH THE ICE. 

ELISHA W. DAVIS, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
ROBERT M. PALMER, 

Speaker of the Senate. 

Approved the twenty-eighth day of February, 
A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one. 

A. G. CURTIN. 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 
COMMONWEALTH. 

Harrisburg, March 12th, A. D. 1861. 
Pennsylvania, ss.: 

I do hereby certify, that the foregoing and 
annexed is a full, true and correct copy of the 
original Act of the General Assembly, entitled, 
"An Act to Incorporate the Philadelphia 
Skating Club and Humane Society," as the 
same remains on file in this office. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set 

my hand, and caused the seal of the Secretary's 

office to be affixed, the day and year above written. 

SAMUEL B. THOMAS, 
Deputy Secretary of the Conunonwealth. 



BY-LAWS. 

ARTICLE I. 

OF MEMBERS. 

Section i . The election of members shall be 
by ballot ; three Black Balls cast shall reject any 
candidate. 

Sec. 2. Each person, on being admitted to 
membership, shall pay an initiation fee of Five 
Dollars, and his election shall not be deemed 
complete until he shall have paid his initiation 
fee and annual dues, and provided himself with a 
badge, cord and reel, which should he neglect for 
two months thereafter, without a reasonable 
excuse being offered, the privilege of his election 
shall be forfeited. The annual dues shall be 
Two Dollars ; the year commencing the first day 
of January. 

Sec. 3. The resignation of a member, who is 
in arrears to the Club, or has not returned his 
key to the Treasurer, shall not be accepted ; and 
if he fails to discharge the same within two 
months after offering said resignation, he may be 
expelled. 

Sec. 4. Every member shall have a right to 
scrutinize freely the character of a candidate for 



59 

membership, and any member communicating 
out of the Club anything that may be said in 
objection to a candidate, or mentioning the 
name of any member who so objected, may be 
expelled. 

Sec. 5. If any member shall neglect to pay 
the dues and fines he has incurred, within one 
year from the time the first payment became due, 
he shall forfeit the right of voting at any meet- 
ing, and, after having regular notice in writing, 
the question may be taken on his expulsion. 

Sec. 6. No member of any club renting the 
boat house of the corporation shall be eUgible 
to membership, and any member of the Club 
becoming a member of the tenant club shall 
cease to be a member of this corporation, pro- 
vided, that this provision shall not apply to any 
member of a tenant club already a member of 
this corporation. 

ARTICLE II. 

LIFE MEMBERS. 

Section i. Any member of the Club in 
good standing, transferring a share of stock to 
the Club, shall become a Life Member, and shall 
retain all the privileges of the Club House, as 
prior to such transfer. 



6o 



Sec. 2. Any member of the Club in good 
standing, who has been a member of the Ckib over 
two years, may become a Life Member, by the 
payment of Twenty Dollars, and those who have 
been members for one year. Twenty -five Dollars. 
Sec. 3. A new member may be proposed 
and elected to Life Membership by the payment 
of Thirty Dollars. 

Sec. 4. Life members shall not be required 
to pay yearly contributions, but shall be subject 
to all laws, fines and penalties as prescribed by 
the Charter and By-lav/s. 

Sec. 5 , The Treasurer shall have the power, 
without further action of the Club, to receive and 
receipt for such life membership from all persons, 
members of the Club. 

ARTICLE III. 

EXPULSION OF MEMBERS. 

The expulsion of a member shall be by 
ballot, and require the concurrence ot two-thirds 
of those present. No member shall be expelled, 
without having an opportunity to defend himself, 
by being notified, in writing, ten days in advance, 
of the charge preferred, and of the place and time 
of holdincr such meeting". 



6i 
ARTICLE IV. 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

Section i . The Club shall provide an Hon- 
orary Roll, and may, by a two-thirds vote 
(which shall be by ballot), place thereon the 
names of any persons whom they may deem 
entitled to the honor, from age, or any act con- 
sidered of benefit to the Club ; and no person on 
said roll shall be subject to any of the duties, 
fines, or penalties, as prescribed by the Charter 
and By-laws, or be required to pay the yearly 
contribution. 

Sec. 2. Ladies may be elected members of 
the Club, and, on being admitted to member- 
ship, shall pay an initiation fee of two dollars, 
and shall thereby be entitled to all rights and 
privileges, except that of voting, and be exempt 
from all dues, fines and penalties, as prescribed 
by the Charter and By-laws. 

ARTICLE V. 

NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS. 

The Club shall provide a Non-Resident 
Roll, and any member 7iot being in arrears for 
dues, who expects to be absent from the city for not 



62 



less than two years, may, by making application 
to the Treasurer, in writing, be placed thereon, 
provided, the same shall be confirmed by a two- 
thirds vote of the members at the next stated 
meeting, and be exempt from all fines and dues 
until his return. 

ARTICLE VI. 

OFFICERS. 

Section i. The officers shall consist of a 
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 
Solicitor, Executive Committee of nine members, 
a Board of Surgeons, composed of twelve physi- 
cians connected with the Club, and a House 
Committee of four members, of which Committee 
the President shall be a member ex-officio, all of 
whom shall be elected by ballot, at the first stated 
meeting in January of each year. The said 
House Committee of Four shall serve for the term 
of four years, and the first committee elected 
under this By-law shall decide by lot which 
among their number shall serve for one, two, 
three or four years, and annually thereafter one 
member of said committee shall be elected at the 
annual election, in January of each year, which 
shall be held on the second Wednesday thereof. 



63 

Sec. 2. Resignations or vacancies shall be 
supplied by special elections, and, in the event of 
no election being held at the time specified, it 
may be held at the next ensuing stated meeting. 

Sec. 3, All nominations for officers and 
committees shall be made at a previous stated 
meeting and posted on the bulletin board in the 
Club House, and all officers and committees shall 
continue in office until the election of their suc- 
cessors. 

ARTICLE VII. 

OF MEETINGS. 

Section i. Stated meetings for transacting 
the affairs of the Club shall be held on the second 
Wednesdays of December, January and February 
of each year, at 8 o'clock, P. M. Adjourned and 
special meetings may be held at such other 
times as may be required. 

Sec. 2. Seven members of the Club assem- 
bled at the time and place of meeting, shall con- 
stitute a quorum, and, in all transactions, not 
otherwise directed, a majority of the votes of 
those present shall govern. 

Sec. 3. No business shall be transacted at 
special meetings other than that for which the 
meetincr was called. 



64 
ARTICLE VIII. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

Section i. At the appointed time of meet- 
ing, on a quorum being present, the business shall 
proceed in the following order : 

1. Reading the minutes of the preceding 
meeting. 

2. Reports from officers and committees. 

3. Collection of fines and dues. 

4. Election of officers or members. 

5. Deferred business. 

6. New business. 

7. Reading Executive Committee's Record. 
Sec. 2. The Club shall adopt a manual for 

the orderly conduct of its meetings. 

ARTICLE IX. 

DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT. 

The President shall preside at all meetings, 
and maintain order therein. He shall have a vote 
only in cases where the members are equally 
divided, or where the concurrence of two-thirds 
is required, or when the voting is by ballot. He 
shall appoint all committees, except in cases 
where a nomination is made by the Club, and, 
at the written request of five members, shall call 
a special meeting. 



65 
ARTICLE X. 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT, 

The Vice-President shall, in the absence of 
the President, perform all the duties appertaining 
to that office. 

ARTICLE XI. 

THE SECRETARY. 

Section i. The Secretary shall record the 
proceedings of the Club, and shall preserve their 
books, papers, and such other property as may 
be committed to his care. 

Sec. 2. He shall attend at every meeting of 
the Club with the requisite books and papers at 
the time appointed, or if unable to attend, shall 
cause such books and papers to be conveyed 
thereto. 

Sec. 3. He shall notify all officers and mem- 
bers of their election, and every committee of their 
appointment through their chairman, within three 
days thereafter, and transmit to him any papers 
or documents that may be necessary for the busi- 
ness referred to them, and, on leaving his office, 
shall transfer whatever books, papers, etc. that 
may have been entrusted to his care to his suc- 
cessor in office. 



66 



ARTICLE XII. 

THE TREASURER. 

Section i. The Treasurer shall collect and 
receive in trust all moneys payable by the mem- 
bers (or donations made) to the Club, appropriate 
the same to the payment of bills approved by the 
Club, take charge of all property committed to 
his care, keep regular accounts, and take an 
account of fines levied. 

Sec. 2. He shall be required to report at the 
stated meeting in January a statement of the 
payments and receipts of the Club and of the 
amounts due by each member. 

Sec. 3. He may employ a suitable person to 
collect fines and contributions, and on leaving his 
office shall transfer all books, papers, money, etc., 
that may have been entrusted to his care to his 
successor in office. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

Section i . The Executive Committee shall 
be the business body of the Club. It shall pro- 
vide, and maintain in proper order, such appara- 
tus as may be deemed necessary to save life, and 
shall keep a diary of all the incidents of the skat- 



67 

ing season, and all matters it may deem suitable 
for preservation, notice and action, looking to 
information, improvement, pleasure and safety, 
and report the same to the Club at each stated 
meeting. 

Sec. 2. It shall organize within one week after 
its election, and appoint a Chairman and Secretary. 

Sec. 3. It shall have power to frame rules 
for its government, provided such rules are not 
inconsistent with the spirit of this Charter and 
By-laws. 

Sec. 4. It shall have charge of all the appa- 
ratus belonging to the Club, which it shall keep 
in good condition, and the expenses incurred by 
it in the repair and preservation of said apparatus, 
and in the execution of other duties devolving on 
it, shall be paid from the funds of the Club and 
it shall examine and approve all bills before being 
presented to the Club. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

BOARD OF SURGEONS. 

The Board of Surgeons are authorized to 
adopt a badge and enact laws for their own regu- 
lation, provided such laws are not inconsistent 
with the spirit of this Charter and By-laws. 



68 



ARTICLE XV. 

OF COMMITTEES. 

The first member appointed on a committee 
shall be the chairman, who shall report its action, 
in writing, at every stated meeting, until the duty- 
is performed. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

BADGE. 

The badge of the Club shall be a small silver 
SKATE as adopted, to be worn on the left breast of 
the coat by the members, at all times when on 
the ice skating, under a penalty of FIFTY 
CENTS for each and every offence. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

CORD AND REEL. 

Each member of the Club shall provide him- 
self with a CORD and REEL, and carry the same 
at all times, when on the ice skating, under a 
penalty of ONE DOLLAR for each and every 
offence. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 

In the election of officers of the Club the can- 
didates having a majority of the ballots shall be 
declared elected. 



69 
ARTICLE XIX. 

IMPEACHMENT OF OFFICERS. 

Any officer of the Club, for improper con- 
duct, may be subject to impeachment and trial, 
provided the charges are preferred in writing, 
signed by three members, he having first been 
duly notified, in writing, ten days in advance, of 
the charge preferred and of the place and time of 
holding such meeting, and, with the concurrence 
of two-thirds of those present, shall be removed 

from office. 

ARTICLE XX. 

AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS. 

No laws or resolutions, inconsistent with the 
principles herein declared shall be valid, and no 
alteration or addition to the By-laws shall be 
made, unless the same be proposed in writing at 
one stated meeting and receive the sanction of 
two-thirds of those present at the next, or any 
subsequent stated meeting. In the meantime 
such alterations or additions shall be posted upon 
the bulletin board of the Club House. 

ARTICLE XXI. 

MANAGEMENT OF CLUB HOUSE. 

Section i. The Club House, in Fairmount 
Park, shall be under the entire charge and con- 



70 

trol of the House Committee, who shall be the 
Trustees thereof, so long as any shares of stock 
shall be outstanding and not owned by the Club. 
It shall designate what part shall be used by the 
Club, and what part shall be rented, and under 
what restrictions, if any, and at what rental ; but 
it shall make no lease of the house or any part 
of it without first submitting said lease to two 
consecutive meetings of the Club, and the same 
having been approved by a vote of two-thirds of 
the members present at each; Provided, That no 
member of any tenant club shall vote upon the 
question of approving or disapproving such 
lease. 

Sec. 2, It shall notify the Treasurer, in 
writing, of all leases made, who shall thereupon 
collect in advance at least three (3) months' rent, 
at the rate therein stipulated, and the failure, for 
three months, to pay such rent in advance at the 
beginning of each six months, shall be considered 
a surrender of the lease, at the option of the 
Club. 

Sec. 3. It shall have power to draw on any 
unappropriated balance in the treasury for the 
payment of such bills as may be necessary to 
contract for the preservation of the building, but 



71 

it shall make no permanent additions or improve- 
ments thereto without the concurrence of two- 
thirds of the members present at two consecutive 
stated meetings. 

Sec. 4. It shall keep a written record of all 
its proceedings, which record shall be read to the 
Club at the stated meeting in January of each 
year. 

Sec. 5. It may make rules for its govern- 
ment, provided such rules are not inconsistent 
with the Charter and By-laws of this Club. 

■Sec. 6. Upon the election of the House 
Committee, and thereafter, the Board of Trustees 
shall cease to exist, and all books and papers 
connected therewith shall be dehvered to the 
Treasurer of the Club. 

Sec. 7. No amendment or alteration shall be 
made to this article, unless proposed in writing 
by ten members, at a stated meeting, and then 
laid over for three months prior to action, and 
receive the vote of two-thirds of the members 
present. 



OFFICERS 

OF 

THE SKATERS' CLUB OF THE CITY AND 
COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA. 

Instituted December 21, 1849. 
Organized January 4, 1850. 



Incorporated February 28, 1861, as the Philadelphia 
Skating Club and Humane Society, 



Presidents. 

James Page, 1849-18 57. 
JosiAH Evans, 18 57-1 8 58. 
Franklin Peale, 1858-1870. 
Thomas W. Marchment, 1870- 

Vice-Presidents. 

Josiah Evans, i 849-1 856. 
Francis T. Fassitt, 18 56-1858. 
Jacob Snyder, i 858-1 859. 
Conrad B. Andress, 18 59-1 861. 
Thomas W. Marchment, 1861-1870. 



74 

Jacob S. Miller, i 870-1 874. 
Jonathan K. Folwell, i 874-1 880. 
Francis J. Ott, 1880-1892. 
William H. Wetherill, 1892- 

Secretaries. 

Wm. H. Jones, 1849-185 3. 
Wm. D. Deal, 185 3-1 854. 
Edward D. Yates, 18 54-1 872. 
William R. Tucker, i 872-1 880. 
George F. Janney, i 880-1 880. 
Frank Evans, 1880-1882. 
James B. Simes, i 882-1 888. 
John F. Lewis, 1888-1889. 
William Hunt, Jr., i 889-1 890. 
John P. Walker, 1890- 

Corresponding Secretaries. 

Edward D. Yates, 185 3-1 8 54. 
Albert R. Schofield, i 854-1 856. 
Wm. S. Andrews, i 856-1 857. 
Washington L. Germon, i 857-1 870. 
William R. Tucker, i 870-1 872. 
Frank Mitchell, i 872-1 875. 
Brandon L. Keys, i 875-1 882. 

[Office abolished by revised By-laws, 1882.] 



75 

Treasurers. 

Edward W. Bushnell, 1849-185 3. 
James Sullender, 185 3-1 863. 
Samuel Simes, 1863-1881, 1882-1885. 
Frank Mitchell, i 881-1882. 
James B. Simes, 1885-1888. 
John F. Lewis, i 888-1 889. 
Howard W. Lewis, 1889- 

Solicitor. 

David W. Sellers, 1860- 

Trustees and House Committee. 

[Created December 26, i860, and elected by 

stockholders Januaiy 3, 1861.] 
Edward D. Yates, 1861-1866, 1866-1871, 

1871-1876, 1876-1881. 
Washington L, Germon, i 861-1865. 
J. C. Sidney, i 861-1862, 1 862-1 867. 
William F. Van Hook, i 861-1863, 1863- 

1868. 
Thomas R. Woodhouse, i 861-1863. 
Jacob S. Miller, 1863-1865, 1865-1870, 

1870-1875. 
Stephen Morris, i 865-1870. 



76 

Samuel Simes, 1867-1873, 1873-1878, 1878- 

1882, 1882-1887. 
Wilson M. Jenkins, i 868-1 871. 
Thomas W. Marchment, i 869-1 874, 1874- 

1879, 1 879-1 884. 
Edwin A. Jones, 1871-1873. 
Selah H. Clark, 1873-1878, 1878-1883. 
Horace S. Woodbury, i 875-1 880. 
Francis J. Ott, 1880-188 5. 

[The Club having redeemed the outstanding 
stock, the By-laws were amended April 12, 1882, 
abolishing the Board of Trustees and substi- 
tuting therefor a House Committee, of four mem- 
bers, who were elected January 10, 1883.] 
Sussex D. Davis, 1883-1885, 1885-1889, 1889- 

1893- 
J. Dickinson Sergeant, 1883-1884, 1884-1888, 

1888-1892. 
William R. Tucker, 1883-1887, 1887-1891, 

1891-1895, 1895-1899. 
Edward D. Yates, i 883-1 886 
George F. Janney, i 886-1 890. 
William H. Wetherill, i 892-1 893, 1893- 

1897. 
John F. Lewis, i 892-1 894, 1 894-1 898. 
T. Hewson Bradford, M.D., 1892-1896. 



77 

Executive Committee. 

[Consisting of five members.] 
Geo. W. Paul, 1853-1856. 
Oliver C. Gaul, 185 3-1 854. 
George S. Sartell, 1853-1854. 
R. S. R. Andrews, 185 3-1 857. 
William F. Van Hook, 185 3-1 857, 1859- 

1864. 
Alexander E. Harvey, 1854-1864, 1867- 

1868. 
William D. Deal, i 854-1856. 
Edward D, Yates, 18 56-1 864. 
James Sullender, i 856-1 861. 
Conrad B. Andress, 1856-1859, 1867-1868. 
Edward W, Bushnell, 1857-1861, 
Samuel SiMEs, 1861-1864. 
Thomas C, Parker, i 861-1863. 
Thomas S. Wood, i 863-1 864. 
Wilson M.Jenkins, 1864-1867, 1868-1872. 
Joseph Brandt, i 864-1 867. 
Valentine Dedeker, i 864-1 865. 
Thomas W. Marchment, i 864-1872. 
Samuel Haines, i 864-1 866. 
Jacob S. Miller, 1865-1872. 
Edward B. Ferris, i 866-1 867, 1 868-1 874. 
[Increased to nine members, December 26, 1866.] 



78 

Selah H. Clark, i 866-1 867, i 868-1 870, 

1872-1879. 
S. Weir Lewis, i 866-1 867. 
Edwin A. Johns, i 866-1 867, 1 868-1 869. 
Thomas J. Belville, i 866-1 872. 
J. H. Armbruster, 1 867-1 868. 
Frank M. Caldwell, i 867-1 877, 
Joseph B. Rockhill, i 867-1 868, 1 872-1. 
Joseph B. Leibert, i 867-1 874. 
Frank Mitchell, i 867-1 867. 
William R, Tucker, 1869. 
Francis J. Ott, i 870-1 886. 
Dorrance Evans, i 872-1 888. 
Rowland F. Hickling, i 872-1 883. 
Ev/iNG Stille, 1874-1891. 
Edward S. Miles, i 874-1 888. 
George F. Janney, iSyy-iSSS. 
Frank Evans, i 879-1 881. 
Herman A. Lewis, i 881-1883. 
Clarence A. Hart, 1883-1888. 
William B. Churchman, i 883-1 884. 
John F. Lewis, 1884- 
Harry C. Rockhill, 1886- 
Andrew C. Craig, Jr., i 886-1 887. 
W. Harry McMillan, i 887-1 892. 
J. Somers Smith, Jr., 1888-1893. 



79 

William Hunt, Jr., 1888- 
S. AsHTON Hand, 1888-1892. 
Robert K. Neff, Jr., i 888-1 892. 
Howard W. Lewis, 1891- 
M. Ash BROOKE Griffith, 1892- 
RoBERT H. Large, i 892-1 893. 
James P. Verree, 1892- 
DoRRANCE Evans, 1894- 
Edwards Sanford Dunn, 1894- 
Francis C. Adler, 1894- 

Board of Surgeons. 

[Consisting of all the Physicians on the Roll. 
Resolution, February 7, 1858.] 

Dr. William H. Taggert, 1855-1866, 1867- 

1868. 
Dr. J. P. Brolaskey, 185 5-1 861. 
Dr. Charles Campbell, 185 5-1 860. 
Dr. John H. Brinton, 1855- 
Dr. John K. Kane, 1859-1866. 
Dr. Thomas G, Morton, 1859-1862. 
Dr. Charles S. Boker, i 859-1 895. 

[Limited to five members by the By-laws of 1S60.]' 

Dr. William H. Taggert, 1861. 
Dr. John H. Brinton, 1861. 
Dr. Charles S, Boker, 1861. 



8o 



Dr. John K. Kane, i86i. 
Dr. J. P. Brolaskey, i86i. 

[Increased to nine, December ii, 1861.] 

Dr. B. Howard Rand, 1861-1876. 

Dr. Louis Fassitt, i 861-1866. 

Dr. Charles S. Wurts, 1861- 

Dr. J. H. Slack, 1861-1874. 

Dr. Samuel N. Woodhouse, i 862-1 867. 

Dr. a. Leiper, i 866-1 867. 

Dr. Samuel B. Howell, i 866-1 873. 

Dr. J. Cheston Morris, 1866- 

Dr. Ralph M. Townsend, 1867- 1874. 

Dr. John H, Packard, 1868- 

Dr. Benjamin Lee, i 873-1 879. 

Dr. Horace Binney Hare, i 874-1 879. 

Dr. William Lehman Wells, i 874-1 884. 

Dr. a. S. Roberts, Jr., i 877-1 894. 

Dr. J. William White, i 879-1 892. 

[Increased to twelve, January 8, 1879.] 

Dr. William G. Porter, 1879- 
Dr. C. B. Nancrede, 1 879-1 892. 
Dr. William Barton Hopkins, 1879- 
Dr. T. Hewson Bradford, 1879- 
Dr. Henry D. Harvey, 1884-1887. 
Dr. William H. Finn, 1887- 



Dr. Louis Starr, 1892- 

Dr. Charles S. Jones, 1892- 

Dr. Elliston J. Morris, 1894- 

Dr. Langdon Caskin, 1894- 

Dr. Samuel W. Woodhouse, Jr., 1894- 



PRESENT OFFICERS 

OF 

THE PHILADELPHIA SKATING CLUB 

AND HUMANE SOCIETY 

For 1895. 

President. 

Thomas W. Marchment. 

Vice-President. 

William H. Wetherill. 

Secretary. 

John P. Walker. 

Treasurer. 

Howard W. Lewis, 
427 Chestnut Street. 

Solicitor. 

David W. Sellers. 

Executive Committee. 

John F. Lewis, Chairman. 
Harry C. Rockhill. 
William Hunt, Jr. 



Howard W. Lewis. 
M. AsHBROoKE Griffith. 
James P. Verree. 
DoRRANCE Evans. 
Edwards Sanford Dunn. 
Francis C, Adler. 

Board of Surgeons. 

Dr. Charles S. Wurts. 

Dr. J. Cheston Morris. 

Dr. John H. Packard. 

Dr. William G. Porter. 

Dr. William Barton Hopkins. 

Dr. T. Hewson Bradford. 

Dr. William H. Finn. 

Dr. Louis Starr. 

Dr. Charles S. Jones. 

Dr. Elliston J. Morris. 

Dr. Langdon Caskin. 

Dr. Samuel W. Woodhouse, Jr. 

House Committee. 

Thomas W. Marchment, ex officio Chairman. 
T. Hewson Bradford, term expires 1896. 
William H. Wetherill, term expires 1897. 
John F. Lewis, Secretary, term expires 1898. 
William R. Tucker, term expires il 



PRESENT 
ACTIVE ROLL. 



86 



J, H. Armbruster, 1866. 
Wm. W. Allen, 1863. 
Wm. S. Andrews, 1866. 
Wm. S. Almendinger,i866. 
Wm. Allen, 1868. 
Francis C. Adler, 1895. 
Peter P. Breen, 1865. 
Jos. Brandt, 1855. 
Dr. John H.Brinton,i856. 
Albert P. Brown, i860. 
T. B. Belfield, i860. 
Arthur Burt, 1881. 
John Blakiston, 1863. 
Abm. Baudowine, 1866. 
Fredk. Meade Bissell, 

1864. 
J. S. Borgenski, 1866. 
Thos. J. Belville, 1866. 
Lewis D. Baugh, 1866. 
J. Sellers Bancroft, 1869. 
Horace A. Blakiston, 

1872. 
George Burnham, Jr., 

T877. 
Dr. T. H. Bradford, i 879 
Frank Buck, 1879. 
Elliott H. Burton, 1880. 
Meredith Bailey, 1881. 
Frank Bement, 1891. 
Isaac S. Cassin, 1863. 
Francis M. Caldwell, 

1864. 
Justice Cox, Jr., 1865. 
A. Reeder Chambers, 

1866. 
John H. Cook, 1867. 
Graham P, Cunningham, 

i86q. 



S. W. Colton, Jr., 1872. 
Wm. B. Churchman, 1878. 
Chas. J. Churchman, 1878. 
Alfred Cope, 1881. 
Dr. Langdon Caskin,i895. 
Eugene Delano, 1892. 
Sussex D. Davis, 1867. 
D. P. Dietrich, 1867. 
Edwards Sanford Dunn, 

1889. 
Evan T. Ellis, 1862. 
DoRRANCE Evans, 1869. 
Rich'd S, Edwards, 1871. 
Howard Evans, 1871. 
Frank Evans, 1874. 
T. S. Edwards, 1875. 
Francis T. Fassett, 1855. 
Jonathan K. Folwell, 

1859. 
Wm, H. Finn, M. D., 1881. 
Chas. J. Field, 1859. 
Seth H. Fenn, 1866. 
Wm. J. Flanagin, 1875. 
Mover Fleisher, 1867. 
Geo. W. Gamble, 1859. 
Rich'd Griffith, 1859. 
George Gilpin, i860. 
Sam. H. Gartley, 1866. 
M. Ashbrooke Griffith, 

1891. 
Wm. p. Gest, 1892. 
Alex'r E. Harvey, 1854. 
Jas. G. Hardie, 1852. 
Thos. Skelton Harrison, 

Sam'l p. Hutchinson, 1 860. 
David B. Hilt, 1864. 
Geo. B. Hilliard, 1865. 



87 



R. T. HiCKLING, 1867. 

A. A. Hyneman, 1867. 
Clarence A. Hart, 1868. 
Wm. H. Hurley, Jr., 1871. 
S. AsHTON Hand, 1872. 
Samuel D. Hopkins, 1875. 
John V. Hastings. 1877. 
E. Stanley Hart, 1878. 
Dr. Wm. Barton Hopkins, 

1879. 
Chas. Herder, 1879. 
John C. Hoffman, 1855. 
Wm. Hunt, Jr., 1882. 
Alex'r R. Heinitsch, 

1881. 
Harry F. Hall, 1881. 
A. N. Heritage, 1878. 
R. WiSTER Harvey, 1884. 
W. Wharton Hollings- 

WORTH, 1 88 1. 

Dr. Charles S. Jones, 

1866. 
Geo. F. Janney, 1S65. 
Henry M. Justi, 1881. 
Andrew Jackson, 1893. 
Edward P. Kelly, 1856. 
Amos R. Little, 1862. 
JAS. M. Longacre, 1864. 
G. Albert Lewis, 1865. 
Rich'd F. W. Loper, 1881. 
G. Heidel Louden, 1876. 
Edmund Lewis, 1876. 
Herman A. Lewis, 1879. 
Hov/ard W. Lewis, 1879. 
John T. Lewis, Jr., 1881. 
John F. Lewis, 1881. 
Arthur H. Lea, 1887. 
Robert Hartshorne 

Large, 1889. 



John Lambert, Jr., 1890. 
E. Van Syckle McCoy, 

1854. 
D. C. W. McCorkle, 1891. 
J. L. McDaniel, 1 89 1. 
W. H. McMillan, 1878. 
Thos. W. Marchment, 

1853. 
Galloway C. Morris, 

i860. 
John B. Mellor, 1861. 
DrT J. Cheston Morris, 

1863. 
John T. Montgomery, 

1864. 
Frank Mitchell, 1864, 
Edward S. Miles, 1871. 
Carl M. Moody, 1877. 
Jos. Gazzam Mackenzie, 

1892. 
Capt. J. G. Morris, i860. 
Dr. Elliston J, Morris, 

1895. 
g. h. mollineaux, 1895. 
Robert K. Neff, 1864, 
Dr. C. B. Nancrede, 1864. 
Sam'l Nevins, 1878. 
A. Oppenheimer, i860. 
Clifford Pemberton, 

1859. 
Jas. C. Parrish, 1859. 
Henry N. Paul, 1863. 
Dr. John H, Packard, 

1866. 
Dr. Wm. G. Porter, 1879. 
George Van Hook Pot- 
ter, 1888. 
James Parsons, 1871. 
Henry Pepper, 1864. 



88 



Wm. Pepper, Jr., i88g. 
Wm. D. Phillips, 1875. 
C. S. W. Packard, 1883. 

Jos. B. ROCKHILL, 1859. 
J. J. RiDGWAY, 1864. 

J. West RuLON, i860. 
Jas. L. Rulon, 1864. 

Jos. G. ROSENGARTEN, 1867. 

Harry C. Rockhill, 1868. 
John Rommel, 3D, 1879. 
Harry C. Roberts, 1880. 
Wm. Henry Reese, i860. 
Carrol Smyth, 1892. 
J. D. Sergeant, 1852. 
"Chas. P. Sinnickson, 1880. 
Julius C. Sterling, 1855. 
Isaac Starr, Jr., i860. 
David W. Sellers, i860. 
Matthias Stratton, i860. 
Coleman Sellers, 1863. 
John Sellers, 1864. 
John M. Sharp, 1865. 
Lewis A. Scott, 1880. 
James B. Simes, 1872. 
EwiNG Stille, 1872. 
Edgar L. Sheppard, 1878, 
Dr. Louis Starr, 1880. 
Wm. G. Steel, 1852. 
W. DurrellShuster,i882, 
O. Perry Smith, 1882. 
WiNTHROP Smith, 1888. 
Chas. Sinnickson, 1895. 
Geo. R. Sinnickson, 1895. 
Wm. R. Tucker, 1867. 
Hollingshead W.Taylor, 

1875. 
Nathan A. Taylor, 1875. 
Alfred P. Trotter, 1881. 
George Trott, 1859. 
M. Stanton Taylor, 1881. 



Count Leopold Von Sel- 

deneck, 1 89 1. 
James C. Verree, 1892. 
Jas. L. "Whitson, 1853. 
Thos. S.Wood, 1853. 
W. Wynne Wister, 1856. 
Chas. J. Wister, 1855. 

D. D. Wetherill, 1859. 
Jos. J. Walton, i860. 
Wm. H. Wetherill, i860. 
W. Wynne Wister, Jr., 

i860. 
Dr. Chas. S. Wurts, 1861. 
Dr. Sam'l W. Woodhouse, 

1S62. 

E. Burgess Warren, 1862. 
Clement R. Wainwright, 

1864. 
J. G. Watmough, 1 87 1. 
B. F. Whittington, 1866. 
Sam'l Wagner, Jr., 187 i. 
Albert L. Wetherill, 

1872. 
J. M. Power Wallace, 

1871. 
Horace S. Woodbury, 

1874. . 
Albert L. Wilson, 1874. 
Alexander Wood, 1875. 
Sam'l W. Woodhouse, Jr., 

1881. 
B. H. Wood, 1887. 
John P. Walker, 1887. 
Herbert J. Wetherill, 

1891. 
Matthew Walker, 1882. 
J. Martin Yardley, 1875. 
E. D. Yates, 1850. 
Andrew Zane, Jr., 1859. 
Eugene Zeiber, 1885. 



PERMANENT FUND RESOLUTION. 

[Adopted at the annual meeting, January 13. 1892, upon motion of John F. 
Lewis, fifty members being present.] 

Whereas, the initiation fees paid by new members have 
been paid out heretofore for the current expenses of the Club, 
instead of being capitalized so that the income therefrom might 
be used to assist in running the Club, and that therefore, though the 
Club has been in existence for over thirty years, it has no invested 
fund, except two shares of Pennsylvania Railroad stock recently 
donated to it ; and Whereas, it is desirable that a permanent 
fund be established so that extraordinary contingencies may be 
provided against, and an income secured to assist in defraying 
current expenses, in the event of the Club-House becoming ten- 
antless or yielding no rent, therefore 

Resolved, That a permanent fund be and is hereby estab- 
lished, and the Treasurer be directed to open an account upon 
his books to be called the " Permanent Fund Account." 

Resolved, That the said two shares of Pennsylvania Rail- 
road stock be transferred to said account, and that all initiation 
fees paid by new members shall be at once credited to the said 
fund, and all donations or bequests hereafter m.ade, unless 
otherwise provided by the giver, and such sums as the Club may, 
itself, by resolution from time to time, set apart for the said 
und. 

Resolved, That the income only of such fund shall be used 
for current expenses, and the principal shall forever remain 
intact, unless by the consent of three-fourths of the members 
present at two consecutive meetings of the Club, and after notice 
of the proposed expenditure shall have been given to every 
member, when the principal may be expended. 

Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Club shall be the custo- 
dian of the fund, and that all investments of the same shall be 
approved by the Club, and no investment thereof shall be made 



90 

except in bond and mortgage upon real estate in the built-up 
portions of the City of Philadelphia, in what are known as legal 
investments, and in the bonds of railroad, railway, or canal 
companies which pay a dividend on their stock. 

Resolved, That these resolutions and declarations of trust 
shall not be altered, amended or repealed, unless by the consent 
of three-fourths of the members present at two consecutive 
regular meetings of the Club, and after notice of the proposed 
alteration, amendment or repeal shall have been given to every 
member of the Club. 



FORM OF BEQUEST OR DEVISE 

I give, devise, and bequeath 
to the 

Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society, 
its successors and assigns 



